Tom McNeely (Canadian, B. 1935) "Older Navajo Man" Signed lower left. Original Watercolor painting on Paper. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day of Issue Maximum Card for the U.S. 22c Navajo Art stamp issued September 4, 1986. Navajo elders are responsible for passing on tribal knowledge and lore. But old-timers avoid telling their stories in the summer, because they fear lightning and the dreaded spirits they believe it brings. indeed, the Navajo are a deeply religious and mystical people. To this day, Navajo medicine men perform curing rituals by creating sand paintings using crushed red sandstone, charcoal and sand to "paint" a healing symbol. Their patients then sit on this sand painting, in hopes of absorbing its healing power and thereby shedding any illness. Mysticism and tradition also prevail in Navajo weavings. For example, the Navajo believe their spirits are captured within the design of their weavings and if their spirits are not allowed to escape, they will eventually go crazy. Thus the Navajo usually weave a thin line of yarn into the blankets, breaking the pattern. This yarn gives their spirits an escape route. Their blanket weavings also express the Navajo's intense reverence for nature's beauty, which is an integral part of Navajo beliefs. Image Size: 15.75 x 19 in. Overall Size: 21.75 x 25.75 in. Unframed. (B10543) See More